June 7, 1939 – January 4, 2022
Maria was born in Eindhoven, The Netherlands and immigrated with her husband, Cor and young son on August 1, 1958. Together Maria and Cor took on life as new immigrants, and recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.
Maria was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. A natural caregiver, feeding her family and friends was one of her many ways of showing how much she loved us. Even in her last days we were fortunate enough to share laughs and her love of tea and food, as she checked that each of us had enough to eat. Her generous heart extended her caregiving far beyond her family. She proudly organized, and distributed substantial donations to charities and organizations that were close to her heart.
Life as a young newlywed immigrant mother was not always easy, Maria went through difficult times in her life and marriage, yet she always placed everyone’s needs before her own, a caregiver through and through. It is our hope that now she will take care of herself first, and spend more time doing the things she loves; cardmaking, drying flowers, puzzles, puttering in the yard, eating whipped cream, and all kinds of crafts.
Being a mother and grandmother were her greatest joys. She was an extraordinary homemaker, and she worked hard to provide a safe and caring home. Each and every one of us knew how deeply we were loved by her growing up. When the time came, she savoured every moment of being a grandmother. She played and talked endlessly with her grandchildren, spoiling them with tea parties, fancy chocolates and the biggest ice cream sundaes they could build. Maria was deeply intuitive. She always knew when something was wrong – long before she had any evidence! She would phone and immediately ask what was wrong and as her children we could never figure out how she knew. When the time came that her grandkids were experiencing their own adult struggles she went far above and beyond the call of an oma, often intuitively knowing when one was in trouble, or in need of some extra love. She gave the best hugs and thoroughly enjoyed every visit from her children and grandchildren.
Maria loved all nature, especially flowers and birds. She loved the sparkly diamonds of the snow crusted landscape and bright blue sky on crisp winter days. She was always able to see the beauty in this world. Maria loved to sit with a cup of Earl Grey Cream Tea and a piece of cake with whipped cream. We all have so many memories of pastry and whipped cream! Maria’s home was always a safe haven from the world, she made every room cozy and could have made any house a home. Over the years, she dabbled in all kinds of crafts. She was always very creative and loved to make things with her hands. Maria also had a great sense of style, loved music, and shared her infectious laugh with everyone in her life. She was kind, understanding and forgiving and the world was so much better with her in it.
Maria is deeply missed by her husband of 65 years, Cornelius Brusselers, four children, Michael (April), Stephan (Maureen), Conny, Tamara (Mark), four grandchildren, Erica, Beth, Ian and Jasmine, and one great granddaughter, Iona. She is predeceased by her mother Louisa Hanique and brother, Ad De Wijs.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Maria Riet Catharina Brusselers nee De Wijs 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta
hoi hoi ,gecondoleerd allemaal met dit grote verlies .
het klopt helemaal wat er staat .
groetjes liesethte vd brand de wijs